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Grade 5 Context Clues Worksheet with Answers

Grade 5 (US) · Year 6 (UK) · Class 5 (India) · English

Unit 3: VocabularyContext Clues & RootsCCSS L.5.4a

Working out the meaning of unknown words from the words around them. This free upper elementary worksheet has 12 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Context Clues

Grade 5 · English

Score___ / 12

Name

Class

Date

Learning goal: Context Clues & Roots · CCSS L.5.4a

Directions: This worksheet has 2 parts. Read the instructions at the start of each part.

Example

Use context: 'The puppy was so tiny, it fit in my palm.' What does 'tiny' mean?

Answer: very small

RememberContext clue types

Definitionthe meaning is given“…arid, or very dry…”Synonyma word that means the sameAntonyman opposite: unlike, butExamplesuch as, for example
Part A

Use the clues in each sentence to work out what the underlined word means.

  1. 1

    The instructions were ambiguous, so half the class did the wrong page.

  2. 2

    The desert is arid; it hardly ever rains there.

  3. 3

    He was so lethargic after the flu that he slept all day.

  4. 4

    The old bridge was fragile, so only one person could cross at a time.

  5. 5

    Unlike his talkative sister, Ben was reticent.

  6. 6

    The road was slick with ice, and cars slid everywhere.

  7. 7

    Her benevolent neighbor often brought meals to sick families.

  8. 8

    He gave a terse reply — just one word — and walked away.

  9. 9

    I was famished, so I ate two sandwiches.

  10. 10

    The scientist was meticulous, checking every number three times.

  11. 11

    The diplomat tried to mitigate the conflict by calming both sides.

Part B

Answer each question. Use full sentences where you can.

  1. 12

    Which kind of context clue is used? 'A biome, or large natural community, covers a big area.'

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

Unscramble the letters: SERHO (clue: an animal you can ride)

How did I do?

Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/english/5/context_clues

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.unclear / having more than one meaning
  2. 2.very dry
  3. 3.tired / sluggish
  4. 4.easily broken
  5. 5.quiet / not saying much
  6. 6.slippery
  7. 7.kind and generous
  8. 8.short and abrupt
  9. 9.very hungry
  10. 10.very careful about details
  11. 11.make less severe
  12. 12.definition / restatement clue
  13. ★horse (challenge corner)

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How to use this worksheet

  • Use it as a 10–15 minute warm-up or homework task rather than a long drill.
  • Ask students to show their working so you can see where a mistake started, not just that it happened.
  • Mark it with the answer key together, then print a fresh version of the same topic to practise the questions they missed.

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Guides for teaching Context Clues

Context Clues: 5 Types with Examples (and How to Teach Them)Definition, synonym, antonym, example and inference clues — how readers work out unknown words without a dictionary, with sample sentences and a classroom routine.AI and Homework: A Parent's Guide to Helping Kids Learn (Not Cheat)How AI chatbots can help or harm learning, the signs homework was done by AI, simple house rules that work, and good ways for children to use AI to study.The 8 Parts of Speech: A Simple Guide with ExamplesNouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections — what each one does, how to spot it, and the words that switch jobs.

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